Poker chip rack



S. J. STANTON POCXER CHIP RACK Dec. 2, 1952 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed June 16, 1948 Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POKER CHIP RACK Samuel J. Stanton, Chicago, 111. Application June 1c, 1948, Serial No. 33,341

1 The invention hereunder is a combination poker chip counter display case and a poker chip storage rack for poker players.

It is compact, unique and effective for both purposes. 7

The average number of chips required for a game is 200. Usual packing is 100 chips to a box. Under such a setup, dealers have to handle two boxes of chips for a complete set.

The current box containing 100 chips does not lend itself to display of chips on the counter, except when the cover is off the box. The present combination makes it possible for the dealer to exhibit the chips with or without the removal of the cover, and to handle 200 chips as one package.

When the cover is oif the current box, the purchaser can see only the edges of the chips. When the cover is off the unit hereunder, the purchaser can see not only the edges but also the faces of the chips. Chips usually come in three colorsred, white and blue. The faces of the chips, visible through the openings, can be arranged so that they form an attractive display.

Furthermore, it is much easier for the purchaser to take hold of a stack of chips for observation where a stack lies fully open for his finger prehension, as in 'applicants device, than when only upper portions of the stacks are available for finger-tip pressure, as in the conventional box.

The unit hereunder consists of a container member and a cover member. The container member is divided into compartments by transverse partitions within its interior. Each of these compartments has two openings oppositely disposed and is contrived to accommodate snugly therein at least two stacks of chips, the stacks disposed contiguously in a horizontal position, one superimposed upon the other, with end chips spanning the openings. The width of the unit is measured to accommodate a stack of chips snugly, so that the end chips of a stack lie flatly over the openings.

The openings are relatively wide. This makes it possible not only to display a major portion of a chip, but also to take hold of a stack with a vise-like finger grip, with grasping fingers, outside of the container.

The original elements above outlined are only some of the advantages the unit hereunder affords. Another advantage is ready reception as well as access. A stack of chips slides easily into position. Where the receptacles for chips are in a vertical position, like in the common turn- 1 Claim. (Cl. 206-56) 2 table device, a twist of the wrist must be suffered in inserting a stack of chips.

This easy, ready reception is appreciated by players, especially when they have to dispose of chips around mid-night, after a few hours of continuous play.

Still another advantage of the present unit is its simplicity, shape and size. It is substantially a perfect rectangular block, which makes it possible to mold it in plastics or to make it out of wood, metals, ceramics or glass. It lends itself not only to manufacture on a quantity basis, but also as a streamlined unit of most modern design.

In plasticls, it can be molded in all kinds of fetching colors. As an object of manufacture in a variety of materials, it can be produced to sell in a wide range of prices. It is an attractive, interesting and useful little unit for the player and owner as well as for the dealer.

Having suggested the possibilities of the present invention on a broad plane, it is now desired to describe it in mechanical terms around the formal drawings included in the present application:

Fig. l is a perspective View of the invention, showing the cover removed from the container.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross section of Fig. 1, while Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section of Fig. 2.

As to more detailed description, like numeral references indicating like parts:

Numeral 1 points to the cover member while numeral 2 points to the container member of the unit.

Numeral [0 indicates a side wall, the portion below the openings in the container. Numeral H indicates the side wall portion of the container on each side of the opening I2. Panel No. II] in combination with panel No. II forming a U-shaped opening l2 for a compartment.

The openings [2, usually rectangular, are comparatively wide, sufiicient only to keep the chips from falling out of the compartments.

Numeral I3 is attached to the end walls of the unit, which are parallel to each other. Numeral l4 indicating its edge at the top. Similarly numeral l5 indicates the edge of panel I l.

Numeral l6 directs attention to partitions transversely inserted in the container between the walls of the unit, which are parallel to each other in a longitudinal position.

Numeral [1 points out a rib, which is on kind of ornamental element to which the unit lends itself. This element is easily incorporated when the unit is molded.

Numeral I8 shows the comparatively narrow walls depending from the cover I, serving as an embracing band around the top of the container 2. Numeral [9 shows a panel as an element in the design, which can be used as a space for initials or an insignia. Numeral 20 directs attention to elements like No. IT, to which this streamlined unit lends itself for ornamentation.

Numeral 2| marks the edge at the top of the long side of the container, the side that embraces the openings l2 between the panels I l. Numeral 22 points out the chips as they lie in stacks within the transverse compartments. The chips in the drawings are shown as two stacks to a compartment, one superimposed on the other. In each compartment each stack is in contact with the other, and also with sides of the compartment. The openings l2 or windows, are comparatively wide to expose a major portion of the chips spanning the openings. The stacks of chips lie snugly within the contacts.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my now abandoned application No. 596,018, filed May 26, 1945.

I claim:

A package comprising a container having parallel side walls, partitions extending between the side walls and forming compartments, said side .walls having slots on both ends of each compartment extending from the top to a position adjacent to and spaced from the bottom, said slots being of a width sufiicient to permit the passage of a finger and of less width than the distance between partitions, poker chips arranged in face to face relation forming a stack with the edges of the chips adjacent the bottom and the partitions, said partitions and side Walls being of a height to support two stacks of chips, and a cover for said container removably positioned on the top for retaining the stacks of chips therein, said chips being removable by engagement of the thumb and finger of a person.

S. J. STANTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,329,655 DHumy Feb. 3, 1920 1,433,560 Lund Oct. 31, 1922 1,892,349 Johnsen 1 Dec. 27, 1932 2,296,989 Forsyth Sept. 29, 1942 2,340,636 Apfelbaum Feb. 1, 1944 2,405,009 Beveridge et a1 July 30, 1946 2,453,030 Newman Nov. 2, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 461,805 France Nov. 6, 1913 

